Is there a compact 12x optical zoom camera?

[lvn600]

So far I have been reading comparison of 12x optical zoom cameras in the forum. I was in a store last night where I could actually see the cameras and noted that Nikkon had a 10x optical zoom camera which could fit in a pocket.The Panasonic-fz 5 camera they had would require some kind of a bag. Is there or will there be a compact 12x zoom camera?

[compa]

First you need to really understand what 10x or 12x is ...

Most compact digital camera makers say their cameras are 10x when they are actually something like 28mm-280mm equivalent (to 35mm cameras) zoom.

The problem with this is that, while the range is 10x, the actual size is ranging from about 1/2 to 5x. In 35mm photography, 50mm is considered to be 1x - that means that for a true 10x you would need 500mm, not just the 280mm that most compacts offer.

All that said, there is more to look at than just the focal length - also consider image quality and mega-pixels. There will certainly be smaller and smaller cameras with large zoom ranges. Even cell phones are getting into the game of being respectable players. The problem with larger zoom ranges is the quality of the image - the thinner they make the camera the worse the lens performance is going to be.

Bottom line ... yes it can be done - yes it will be done. Will it be worth having? That all depends on how critical of your photos you are going to be.

[lvn600]

So you are saying that at this point these smaller cameras can't compete with the fz's in terms of the overal image.

[RAH]

Most compact digital camera makers say their cameras are 10x when they are actually something like 28mm-280mm equivalent (to 35mm cameras) zoom.


I think you'll find that most super-zoom cameras start around 38 and go to about 380 (for 10x) and about 420 (for 12x). So, you DO get a pretty high zoom with these cameras, but not very good wide angle (but most folks who buy these cameras are looking for magnification anyway).

As far as size, some of the Olympus 10x cameras (C-770) are pretty compact, compared to say the Panasonic models.

[samuel walker]

I think you'll find that most super-zoom cameras start around 38 and go to about 380 (for 10x) and about 420 (for 12x). So, you DO get a pretty high zoom with these cameras, but not very good wide angle (but most folks who buy these cameras are looking for magnification anyway).

As far as size, some of the Olympus 10x cameras (C-770) are pretty compact, compared to say the Panasonic models. I'm looking for a new 10-12 optical zoom I've narrowed it down to the canon powershot A2 IS the IS is Image Stabilized. Better than that the canon uses Digic2 processor which opens the cam quick and cuts shutter lag. This is with the now almost standard 5mp.
Sam

[lvn600]

I guess what I'm wondering is if the primary use of the camera is to keep record of birds for identification verification(say that 10x's fast) wouldn't it be better to carry a pocket sized 10x optical zoom versus a 12x optical zoom that requires a camera bag?

[RAH]

I use my Olympus C-750 (10x) for this purpose sometimes. I carry it and my 8x28 binocs in a relatively small case. If I find a bird I cannot ID, I'll take a shot. Then when I get home I can zoom in using an image program, to try to ID it better. Of course, you can also use it to take good pictures, especially by adding the TCON-17 extender, which gives about 630mm equivalent (also useable on a Panasonic).

As I said, the C-770 is about the smallest "super-zoom" you can get. The C-765 is about as small and less expensive, I think.